austraLasia #1893

Japanese past pupil becomes 18th Chess/Shogi 'Grand master for life'

TOKYO: 3rd July 2007 -- Moriuchi Toshiyuki, 36 years of age and past pupil of the Salesian school at Yokohama, has just become the 18th 'Grand Master for Life' of Japan's favourite version of what the rest of the world calls Chess.  In Japan, the version of chess much preferred is known as Shogi.  Moriuchi, who returns annually to his old school to visit teachers and friends, won his title on 29th June 2007.  Being the 18th Grand Master for Life takes on huge importance when we know that Shogi began around 1612 at the time of the Tokugawa Shogunate.  There had been, until 28th June this year, only 17 Grand Masters for Life!
    The number of people thought to know the rules of Shogi in Japan is considered to be around 10 million, while those who regularly play it are more than 100,000.  The title most normally sought after, and achievable for some, is that of Meiji or Grand Master, someone who achieves the best of 7 games over a range of tournaments (usually 15 of them) in a year.  Only those who can lay claim to the title of Meiji five times can be called Eisei Meijin or Grand Master for Life.    Moriuchi has sought his title for many years.  During the '90s he was known as the 'uncrowned emperor' while that 5th title eluded him.
    'I am happy about the title' says Moriuchi. 'I am thankful that I kept at it despite the difficulties'. It seems that the perseverance he learned during his school years in Yokohama has paid off!

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